Conflict-torn areas get P26-M Agri projects

BUTUAN CITY – The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday announced that the livelihood projects worth more than R26 million are set to be implemented in conflict-affected areas in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region).

Under the government’s PAMANA program, the DA-13 will be implementing 16 livelihood projects in identified conflict-affected areas, particularly in highland communities in the region.

Meanwhile, in relation to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s food sufficiency program, the DA is eyeing to help implement more than 55,000 hectares of irrigable rice lands in Caraga region.

The DA-13 officials said currently about 108,581 hectares are already irrigated at various areas in the region, where Agusan del Sur has the highest wide rice lands being identified as the rice granary province in Caraga region.

“We are now closely coordinating with other concern government agencies to hit our objective to have more available and affordable rice for the Caraganons by the succeeding years,” DA 13 Regional Renato P. Manantan.

To hit the target of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, the agency is also set to implement the agency’s rice productivity enhancement, high value crops, fishery and quatic resources, family-based agro-forestry program, corn, livestock and poultry, coconut productivity and rehabilitation agenda, backyard vegetable gardening, and tilapia fish farms and more irrigation.

Also emphasized was the prioritizing and implementation of programs and projects in line with the vision of President Duterte through the leadership of Secretary Piñol which focused on providing available and affordable food for all.

The new DA director’s priority includes harmonizing DA’s interventions to identified priorities of the local government units by revisiting provincial profiles. (Mike U. Crismundo)